Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag outlines five key signings to transform his side

New Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has outlined the five signings he believes will transform the club this summer. 

The Dutch manager has identified Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, Brentford playmaker Christian Eriksen and Ajax pair Jurrien Timber and Antony, as well as a back-up goalkeeper, according to the Manchester Evening News. 

And though that may read like an expensive shopping list for the Premier League giants, Richard Arnold has said ‘money is not a consideration’ in Manchester United’s pursuit of Frenkie de Jong as he took aim at Ed Woodward’s handling of transfers in a sensational exchange with a group of United supporters in a Cheshire pub. 

Frenkie de Jong is a priority for ten Hag

Having brought in club legend Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho last summer, United had a promising start to the season before crumbling away to finish sixth with their lowest points tally since 1989-90.

United’s interest in de Jong has been well documented as the two clubs have been at loggerheads over a fee for the 25-year-old Dutchman for some time now.

On De Jong, who Barcelona value at £69million, Arnold told fans: ‘Money is not a consideration in who we want.

‘It’s that the manager wants him, that they’ve actually done the work on looking if he’s a great player.

‘Is it £100 million or £200million? I don’t know. Get who you f***ing want. 

‘Do you want me buying the players? Doesn’t that ring a bell?’

According to the Twitter of one of the fans who spoke to Arnold, the United chief also said: ‘United officials are in Barcelona getting the deal done for De Jong.

New manager Erik ten Hag has identified ex-Ajax man De Jong as his No 1 summer target

Christian Eriksen impressed for Brentford

‘As a club we’re doing everything possible to get the deal done, I’ve been up for days trying to get it done. The money is there but there’s things standing in our way which I can’t say.’

The Netherlands international could join several Ajax players, former and current, at Old Trafford if ten Hag gets the opportunity to bring his targets in. 

Christian Eriksen is another midfield target as ten Hag seeks to completely remodel his midfield following the departures of Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and of course Paul Pogba. 

The Danish midfielder will likely be a less expensive option than the other names on ten Hag’s list as his 6-month deal at Brentford runs out this summer, and he is widely expected to depart the west London club. 

Antony (left) played a massive factor in Ajax’s title winning campaign, while Jurrien Timber (centre), like the Brazilian, has also been linked with a move to Manchester United this summer

Having coached both Antony and Timber during his time at Ajax, ten Hag is eager to bring the pair with him to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have been linked with a £51million move for the Brazilian winger, although they now reportedly face pressure from Tottenham with Antonio Conte keen to add the 22-year-old to his growing list of summer arrivals. 

Antony enjoyed a successful season with the Eredivisie title winners, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in ten Hag’s final season at the club, resulting in interest from many of Europe’s top clubs. 

Timber’s move to United may already be off, whilst Antony has caught Antonio Conte’s eye

Reports in The Sun claimed Timber was close to agreeing a £30m transfer deal with United to reunite with the manager who put a lot of faith into him at a young age.

However, the move looks to have already hit stumbling blocks along the way, after former United boss Louis van Gaal suggested his career with the national team could be hampered by a move to Old Trafford. 

Timber himself also cast doubts over the move after Holland’s recent 3-2 win over Wales. He said: ‘You’re always flattered when teams show interest in you… but I am at the biggest club in the world at the moment and I feel fine there, so no news.’